FRESH faced and sporting a collection of mischievous grins, this is Elworth Church of England School’s class of 1956.

The picture, sent to us by former pupil Sue Coburn, is just one of countless memories of the School Lane building, which later became St Peter’s Church Hall, which was gutted by fire earlier this year.

Church leaders and residents have drawn up plans to demolish the charred remains of the site with a new community centre to be built in its place.

Designers will be asked to use similar materials such as red bricks and tiles while it is hoped that architectural features such as the wonderful shape of the windows will be echoed in the new build.

The church is now trying to put together a book of memories, from which this picture is taken, to put on sale and raise money for the new facility.

The Rev David Page said: “A lot of people both within the church and the local community will be very saddened to see the passing of the old church hall but photographs, old newspaper clippings and recollections have already started arriving.”

Mrs Coburn, née Roberts, joined the school in 1956. She said: “Our playground had Foden’s factory on one side and the graveyard on another. Can anyone else remember the sound of Foden’s morning sirens?”

Christine Wootton, née Hilditch, joined in 1943 and later returned as a teacher in 1961-3. She said: “The reception class was at the top of the steps to the right of the entrance nearest to Middlewich Road.

“We did writing and drawing but paper was very scarce and we often used slates and chalk.”

Memories can be e-mailed to office@stpeters-elworth.org.uk or posted to the Rev David Page, 38 Roman Way, Elworth, Cheshire, CW11 3EW. For more details, phone Mr Page on 01270 762415.